TITLE: Faith between Land, Sea and Heaven

The People´s Gratitude Galley, maritime procession and the festivities celebrating the Good Jesus of the Navigators.

The People´s Gratitude Galley (Galeota Gratidão do Povo in Portuguese) is a 128 years old vessel maintained with donations from the devotees. The galley carries the image of the Good Jesus of the Navigators. During the transition from one year to the other, sea and land processions and festivities happen with his statue. It´s an ancient tradition that remotes to the Iberian Peninsula during the Renaissance and the age of great maritime explorations. It´s still alive in Bahia and other places in Brazil.

Sailors, fishermen, divers, boat owners, and devotees gather during the event and hundreds of boats follow the galley in an act of devotion and connection with the divine asking for protection.

The galley is richly ornated with angels, cherubins and delphins. Gabriel Archangel is at the prow of the vessel. He is considered a guardian angel and, symbolically, protects the boat.

AUTHOR: Luciano Freaza (Brazil)

I´m a visual artist, graphic designer and illustrator based in Brazil. I´ve been doing art since I´m two years old.